Slide 1.1 Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, Research Methods for Business Students, 5 th Edition, ©...

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Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, Research Methods for Business Students, 5th Edition, © Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill 2009

Chapter 1The nature of business and management research and the structure of this book

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Introduction to the research process

Things to consider

• Realities and pitfalls of research

• Approaches, strategies and methods

• Techniques and procedures for data collection and analysis

• Appropriate use of information technology

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Terminology

Methods -

The techniques and procedures used to obtain data

Methodology -

The theory of how research should be undertaken

Saunders et al. (2009)

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The nature of research

Definition:

‘Something that people undertake in order to find things out in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge’


Characteristics:

• Data are collected systematically

• Data are interpreted systematically

• There is a clear purpose to find things out

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Features of business and management research (1)

• Managers draw on knowledge from other disciplines

• Managers are more likely to allow access if they seecommercial or personal advantage

• Managers now tend to be as educated as the researchers

• Managers require research to have some practical consequence

Easterby-Smith et al. (2008)

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Key debates

• Knowledge production –

(Modes 1, 2 and 3 knowledge)

• The ‘relevance gap’

• ‘Evidence based’ management

• Basic and applied research

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Basic and applied research

Sources:authors’ experience; Easterby-Smith et al. (2008); Hedrick et al. (1993)

Figure 1.1 Basic and applied research

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The research process (1)

Stages of the research process

• Formulating and clarifying a topic

• Reviewing the literature

• Designing the research

• Collecting data

• Analysing data

• Writing upBased on Figure 1.2: Saunders et al. (2009)

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The research process (2)

Factors to consider

• The impact of your personal feelings and beliefs

• Access to data

• Time and other resources

• Validity and reliability of the data

• Ethical issues

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Purpose of the book

To help you undertake research by being

• Clear about what you are doing

• Why you are doing it

• The associated implications of what you are aboutto do

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Overview of the Chapters (1)

• Tutorials for data analysis software

• Smarter Online Searching Guide

• Terminology that is defined and explained

• Examples of research projects

• Checklists for focused guidance

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Overview of the Chapters (2)

Each Chapter contains:

• A summary of key points

• Self- check questions – and answers

• Review and discussion questions

• References and further reading

• A case study that highlights real research issues

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Final Sections

• Bibliography

• Appendices

• Glossary

• Index

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Summary: Chapter 1

Business and management research

• Is transdisciplinary

• Engages with both theory and practice

• Involves undertaking systematic research

• Should be undertaken with rigour

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Summary: Chapter 1

The book acts as a guide to the research process

by providing:

• a series of research examples • checklists to help you acquire relevant knowledge• review and discussion questions• self-check questions - and answers• guidance as you generate material for your project report

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And finally……..

“there is no one best way for undertaking all research”


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